AFRL University Nanosatellite Program Manager Wins Prestigious National Award Published June 12, 2013 By Eva Blaylock Space Vehicles KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- Larry K. Martin, a graduate student at the University of Hawaii-Manoa and manager of the AFRL University Nanosat Program there, has been recognized as the most outstanding electrical engineering student in the nation. Martin, an electrical engineering graduate student, has won the 2011-12 Alton B. Zerby and Carl T. Koerner Outstanding Electrical and Computer Engineering Student Award. In addition to managing the university program, Martin assisted in writing several proposals that earned the program two NASA launch opportunities in 2013-14. The mission of the two nanosatellites scheduled to launch is to provide calibration for radar stations around the world. Martin was selected for the award by Eta Kappa Nu, the national electrical engineering society, based on his achievements as an undergraduate student. "While I'm overwhelmed with a sense of joy and humility to earn such an achievement, it's important to recognize that doing so would not have been possible without the support of Dr. Wayne Shiroma and the work I've had a chance to do as a part of the University of Hawaii's nearly 11-year-old Small-Satellite Program," Martin said. "I also have no doubt that what really made me stand out from the other nominees for this award was the unique and exciting opportunities that I had under my belt through my participation in the AFRL University Nanosatellite Program, experiences which only a select group of university students from across the US can appreciate." The objective of UNP is to train the next generation of space professionals by providing a rigorous two-year concept to flight-ready spacecraft competition, and to enable small-satellite research and development, integration and flight test. Approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 27 universities have participated since the program's establishment in 1999.